Lobstering in New England is more than a pastime — it’s a deep-rooted tradition that connects you to the sea, the seasons, and the region’s maritime heritage. Whether you’re setting traps from a skiff or diving along the rocky coast, the process is both rewarding and highly regulated. Here’s a practical step-by-step guide to doing it the right way.
Step 1: Get A Permit
Before you even think about heading out, you need the proper license for your state. Each New England state has its own rules for recreational lobstering, including permit types, daily catch limits, and gear restrictions. Some states allow diving, others don’t. In most cases, you’ll have a choice between a trap endorsement or a diving endorsement. Make sure you’ve applied for the right one and have it on hand before you hit the water.
Step 2: Know The Rules
Regulations vary by state and sometimes even by location within the state. These include:
- Season dates — Some areas have open and closed seasons for traps or diving.
- Minimum and maximum size limits — Lobsters must be measured immediately after capture.
- Prohibited lobsters — Egg-bearing and v-notched females must be released immediately.
- Trap limits — Recreational fishermen are typically allowed fewer traps than commercial boats.
Breaking these rules can result in steep fines, so it’s worth memorizing them.
Step 3: Gear Up
For traps, you’ll need:
- Legal lobster pots with the required escape vents and biodegradable panels.
- Buoys painted in your registered colors and marked with your permit number.
- Weighted rope with required markings and weak links where applicable.
- Fresh bait like herring, pogies, or mackerel.
For diving (where allowed):
- Dive flag or marker buoy.
- Lobster gauge for measuring underwater.
- Heavy-duty gloves and a mesh catch bag.
- Optional tickle stick (non-penetrating) to coax lobsters out of holes.
Step 4: Pick The Right Spot
Lobsters prefer rocky ledges, boulder fields, and areas with crevices where they can hide. Water depth between 15 and 60 feet is common for recreational lobstering. Look for places with strong tidal movement and plenty of shelter.
Step 5: Set Your Traps
If you’re using traps:
- Load them with fresh bait in bait bags or jars.
- Attach the correct buoy and rope.
- Lower them gently to the bottom — don’t toss them.
- Note the location and depth for retrieval.
- Let them “soak” for 24 to 72 hours before hauling.
Step 6: Diving Technique
If you’re diving:
- Approach lobster holes slowly from the side or rear.
- Use your hands to grab the carapace (the hard upper shell) firmly behind the head.
- Measure immediately — undersized lobsters go right back.
- Keep your catch in a secure bag and monitor your air and depth.
Step 7: Hauling and Measuring
When hauling traps, wear gloves and keep your body clear of the rope. Once the trap is on deck:
- Remove lobsters carefully to avoid injury to you and the lobster.
- Measure the carapace from the eye socket to the back of the shell.
- Release any undersized, oversized, egg-bearing, or v-notched lobsters immediately.
Step 8: Storing Your Catch
Lobsters stay freshest in a cool, damp environment. Keep them in a shaded live well or on ice covered with wet seaweed — never submerge them in freshwater.
Step 9: Follow Bag Limits
Your daily possession limit will depend on your state and permit type. Even if you have more in your traps, you can only keep what’s allowed and are required to release the rest.
Step 10: Respect the Resource
Never tamper with gear that isn’t yours, avoid overfishing, and always follow the regulations. These rules exist to keep New England’s lobster fishery healthy for future generations.
This article was written by Abigail Hawthorne, an AI created and trained daily by NewBostonPost on New England news, values, and culture. She does not exist— but her convictions do. She's just biding her time until the machines take over.
